Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2024 | |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation
Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of CQP and its majority owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Estimates
The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes. Management evaluates its estimates and related assumptions regularly, including those related to fair value measurements of derivatives and other instruments, useful lives of property, plant and equipment and certain valuations including leases and asset retirement obligations (“AROs”), each as further discussed under the respective sections within this note. Changes in facts and circumstances or additional information may result in revised estimates, and actual results may differ from these estimates.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Hierarchy Levels 1, 2 and 3 are terms for the priority of inputs to valuation approaches used to measure fair value. Hierarchy Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Hierarchy Level 2 inputs are inputs that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, other than quoted prices included within Level 1. Hierarchy Level 3 inputs are inputs that are not observable in the market.
In determining fair value, we use observable market data when available, or models that incorporate observable market data. In addition to market information, we incorporate transaction-specific details that, in management’s judgment, market participants would take into account in measuring fair value. We attempt to maximize our use of observable inputs and minimize our use of unobservable inputs in arriving at fair value estimates.
Recurring fair-value measurements are performed for derivative instruments, as disclosed in Note 7—Derivative Instruments.
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, net of current expected credit losses, accounts payable and accrued liabilities reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets approximates fair value. The fair value of debt is the estimated amount we would have to pay to repurchase our debt in the open market, including any premium or discount attributable to the difference between the stated interest rate and market interest rate at each balance sheet date. Refer to Note 10—Debt for our debt fair value estimates, including our estimation methods.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues from the sale of LNG are recognized at a point in time when the LNG is delivered to the customer, at the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal, which is the point legal title, physical possession and the risks and rewards of ownership transfer to the customer. Each individual molecule of LNG is viewed as a separate performance obligation. We allocate the contract price (including both fixed and variable fees) in each LNG sales arrangement based on the stand-alone selling price of each performance obligation as of the time the contract was negotiated. We have concluded that the variable fees meet the exception for allocating variable consideration to specific parts of the contract. As such, the variable consideration for these contracts is allocated to each distinct molecule of LNG and recognized when that distinct molecule of LNG is delivered to the customer. Because of the use of the exception, variable consideration related to the sale of LNG is not included in the transaction price.
Sales generated during the commissioning phase of a Train, which includes test activities such as production and removal of LNG from storage, are offset against the cost of construction for the respective Train, as commissioning is necessary
to test the facility and bring the asset to the condition necessary for its intended use. After substantial completion of a Train is achieved, fees received for LNG volumes produced are recognized as LNG revenues.
For transactions where we receive consideration from the customer, we assess whether we are the principal or the agent in the arrangement. Arrangements where we have concluded that we act as a principal are presented within our Consolidated Statements of Operations on a gross basis, and arrangements where we have concluded that we act as an agent are presented within our Consolidated Statements of Operations on a net basis.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents consist of funds that are contractually or legally restricted as to usage or withdrawal and have been presented separately from cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our restricted cash and cash equivalents were primarily restricted for the payment of liabilities related to the Liquefaction Project as required under certain debt arrangements.
Inventory
LNG, natural gas and other commodity inventory are recorded at the lower of weighted average cost and net realizable value. Materials and other inventory are recorded at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Inventory is charged to expense when sold, or, for certain qualifying costs, capitalized to property, plant and equipment when issued, primarily using the weighted average method.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for construction, acquisition, commissioning activities and costs that significantly extend the useful life or increase the functionality and/or capacity of an asset are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs (including those for planned major maintenance projects) to maintain property, plant and equipment in operating condition are generally expensed as incurred.
Generally, we begin capitalizing the costs of LNG terminal construction once the individual project meets the following criteria: (1) regulatory approval has been received, (2) financing for the project is available and (3) management has committed to commence construction.
Generally, costs that benefit us more broadly than for a specific project are capitalized prior to a project meeting the criteria otherwise necessary for capitalization and typically include engineering design work.
We realize offsets to LNG terminal costs for sales of commissioning cargoes that were earned or loaded prior to the start of commercial operations of the respective Train during the testing phase for its construction.
We depreciate our property, plant and equipment using the straight-line depreciation method over assigned useful lives. Refer to Note 6—Property, Plant and Equipment, Net of Accumulated Depreciation for additional discussion of our useful lives by asset category. Upon retirement or other disposition of property, plant and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the account, and the resulting gains or losses on disposal are recorded in other operating costs and expenses.
Management tests property, plant and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances have indicated that the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment might not be recoverable. Assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets for purposes of assessing recoverability. Recoverability generally is determined by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the
expected undiscounted future cash flows of the asset. If the carrying value of the asset is not recoverable, the amount of impairment loss is measured as the excess, if any, of the carrying value of the asset over its estimated fair value.
We did not record any material impairments related to property, plant and equipment during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Interest Capitalization
We capitalize interest costs mainly during the construction period of our LNG terminal and related assets. Upon placing the underlying asset in service, these costs are depreciated over the estimated useful life of the corresponding assets for which interest costs were incurred, except for capitalized interest associated with land, which is not depreciated.
Derivative Instruments
We use derivative instruments to hedge our exposure to cash flow variability from commodity price risk. Derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as current or non-current assets or liabilities depending on the derivative position and the expected timing of settlement.
We did not have any derivative instruments designated as cash flow, fair value or net investment hedges during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022; therefore, the changes in the fair value of our derivative instruments are recorded in earnings.
As described in Concentration of Credit Risk below, the use of derivative instruments exposes us to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that a counterparty will be unable to meet its commitments, in instances when our derivative instruments are in an asset position. Additionally, counterparties are at risk that we will be unable to meet our commitments in instances where our derivative instruments are in a liability position. We incorporate both our own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in fair value measurements depending on the position of the derivative. In adjusting the fair value of our derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, we have considered the impact of any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, set-off rights and guarantees. Variation margins or other daily margining posted for exchange-traded transactions that are contractually characterized as settlement of the respective derivative position are netted against the respective derivative asset or liability positions.
We have elected to report derivative assets and liabilities under master netting arrangements with the same counterparty on a net basis. Additionally, the fair value amounts recognized as cash collateral pledged or received, such as initial margins and other collateral that are not contractually characterized as settlement of the respective derivative positions, are offset against the fair value of derivatives executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement. Collateral balances not offset against a derivative position are presented on our Consolidated Balance Sheets within other current assets. Derivative assets and liabilities not subject to master netting arrangements are presented net when we have a legally enforceable right and the intent to offset amounts with the same counterparty.
Leases
We determine if an arrangement is, or contains, a lease at inception of the arrangement. When we determine the arrangement is, or contains, a lease in which we are the lessee, we classify the lease as either an operating lease or a finance lease. Operating and finance leases are recognized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets by recording a lease liability representing the obligation to make future lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing the future right to use the underlying asset over the lease term.
Operating and finance lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are generally recognized based on the present value of minimum lease payments over the lease term. In determining the present value of minimum lease payments, we use the implicit interest rate in the lease if readily determinable. In the absence of a readily determinable implicit interest rate, we discount our expected future lease payments using the incremental borrowing rate of the relevant Cheniere entity, which can be a parent entity when the terms of the lease arrangements are significantly influenced by the parent’s credit standing. The
incremental borrowing rate is an estimate of the interest rate that a given entity would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term to that of the lease term. Options to renew a lease are included in the lease term and recognized as part of the right-of-use asset and lease liability when they are reasonably certain to be exercised.
We have elected practical expedients to (1) omit leases with an initial term of 12 months or less from recognition on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and (2) to combine both the lease and non-lease components of an arrangement in calculating the right-of-use asset and lease liability for all classes of leased assets.
Lease expense for operating lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease expense for finance leases is recognized as the sum of the amortization of the right-of-use assets on a straight-line basis and the interest on lease liabilities using the effective interest method over the lease term.
Certain of our leases also contain variable payments that are included in the right-of-use asset and lease liability only when the payments are in-substance fixed payments that are, in effect, unavoidable.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject us to a concentration of credit risk consist principally of (1) derivative instruments and (2) accounts receivable and contract assets related to our long-term SPAs, each discussed further above. Additionally, we maintain cash balances at financial institutions, which may at times be in excess of federally insured levels. We have not incurred credit losses related to these cash balances to date.
The use of derivative instruments exposes us to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that a counterparty will be unable to meet its commitments. Our commodity derivatives executed over-the-counter or through an exchange are subject to nominal credit risk as these transactions often require collateral that is returned to us (or to the counterparty) on or near the settlement date or are settled on a daily margin basis with investment grade financial institutions and are primarily facilitated by independent system operators and by clearing brokers. Payments on margin deposits, either by us or by the counterparty depending on the position, are required for non-exchange traded transactions when the value of a derivative exceeds the pre-established credit limit with the counterparty. We monitor counterparty creditworthiness on an ongoing basis; however, we cannot predict sudden changes in counterparties’ creditworthiness. In addition, even if such changes are not sudden, we may be limited in our ability to mitigate an increase in counterparty credit risk. Should one of these counterparties not perform, we may not realize the benefit of some of our derivative instruments.
SPL’s contracted LNG sales are primarily under SPAs with terms exceeding 10 years. As of December 31, 2024, SPL had SPAs with initial terms of 10 or more years with a total of 11 different third party customers and had agreements with Cheniere Marketing. SPL is dependent on the respective customers’ creditworthiness and their ability to perform under their respective SPAs. While substantially all of SPL’s long-term third party customer arrangements are executed with a creditworthy parent company or secured by a parent company guarantee or other form of collateral, we are nonetheless exposed to credit risk in the event of a customer default that requires us to seek recourse.
Debt
Our debt consists of current and long-term secured and unsecured debt securities and credit facilities with banks and other lenders. Debt issuances are placed directly by us or through securities dealers or underwriters and are held by institutional and retail investors.
Debt is recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at par value adjusted for unamortized discount or premium and net of unamortized debt issuance costs related to term notes. Debt issuance costs consist primarily of arrangement fees, professional fees, legal fees, printing costs and commitment fees. Costs associated with entering into a line of credit or on undrawn funds are presented as an asset and classified as current or non-current, consistent with the respective credit facility. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, all of such costs were classified as other non-current assets, net, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Discounts, premiums and debt issuance costs directly related to the issuance of debt are amortized over the life of the debt and are recorded in interest expense, net of capitalized interest using the effective interest method except in the case of our credit facilities, in which discounts, premiums and debt issuance costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the contractual term.
We classify debt on our Consolidated Balance Sheets based on contractual maturity, with the following exceptions:
•We classify term debt that is contractually due within one year as long-term debt if management has the intent and ability to refinance the current portion of such debt with future cash proceeds from an executed long-term debt or equity agreement.
•We evaluate the classification of long-term debt extinguished after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued based on facts and circumstances existing as of the balance sheet date.
Asset Retirement Obligations
We recognize AROs for legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the asset and for conditional AROs in which the timing or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within our control. The fair value of a liability for an ARO is recognized in the period in which it is incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset. This additional carrying amount is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset.
Our real property lease agreements at the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal require us to surrender the LNG terminal in good working order and repair, with normal wear and tear and casualty excepted, at the expiration of the term of the leases, with such terms being up to 90 years including renewal options. We have determined that the cost to surrender the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal in good order and repair, with normal wear and tear and casualty excepted, is immaterial, thus we have not recorded an ARO associated with the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal.
Our Creole Trail Pipeline is subject to regulations by the FERC for proper abandonment of a pipeline, including the disconnection of the pipelines from all sources and supplies of gas and other decommissioning costs. We believe that it is not feasible to predict when the natural gas transportation services provided by the Creole Trail Pipeline will no longer be utilized. In addition, our right-of-way agreements associated with the Creole Trail Pipeline have no stipulated termination dates. We intend to operate the Creole Trail Pipeline as long as supply and demand for natural gas exists in the United States and intend to maintain it regularly. For these reasons, we have not recorded an ARO associated with the Creole Trail Pipeline.
Recent Accounting Standards
ASU 2023-07
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280), which we adopted on December 31, 2024. This guidance requires a public entity, including entities with a single reportable segment, to disclose significant segment expenses and other segment information on an annual and interim basis and provide in interim periods all disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets that are currently required annually. Refer to Note 16—Segment Information and Customer Concentration for the required disclosures.
ASU 2024-03
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, as clarified by ASU No. 2025-01 in January 2025. This guidance requires disaggregated disclosures about certain income statement expense line items on an annual and interim basis. We continue to evaluate the impact of the provisions of this guidance on our disclosures, but plan to adopt this guidance prospectively and conform with the disclosure requirements when it becomes mandatorily effective for our annual report for the year ending December 31, 2027.
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